In Wake of Sandy, Local 342 Members Donate Food, Time to Charities for Thanksgiving

Members Volunteer to Prepare and Serve Holiday Meals in Local Communities

Local 342 Members Serving Food at Angel Guardian in Brooklyn, NY

PRLog - Nov. 19, 2012 - STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- New York, New York- Members of UFCW Local 342, a union that emphasizes service and enriching the local communities where its members work, recently volunteered at several charities throughout New York City and Long Island to help prepare and serve Thanksgiving meals to underprivileged children and their families, as well as citizens who were displaced from their homes due to Sandy. The union represents nearly 10,000 workers in retail food, and wholesale food processing, as well as distribution and manufacturing industries. Local 342 members work at employers ranging from A&P, Pathmark, Waldbaum’s, and Food Emporium, to ShopRite, Stop & Shop and King Kullen, among many others.

Despite the many hardships caused by the impact of Superstorm Sandy, Local 342 members living throughout New York City, Long Island, and New Jersey, once again came through for those in need during the holiday season. As has always been the case, this compassionate and courageous group rose to the occasion when it mattered most.

Over the last two weeks, Local 342 members volunteered at three separate charity events in their surrounding communities to prepare and serve a Thanksgiving meal to families who normally do not get the opportunity to enjoy a traditional holiday dinner. Whether it was dropping off food, carving turkeys, slicing pies, preparing the meals, or simply serving the dishes, union members did whatever they could to guarantee that these families had a Thanksgiving meal to remember. All of the members who donated their time at Angel Guardian in Brooklyn, NY, Calvary Chapel Island of Grace in Holbrook, NY, and Fellowship Baptist Church in Staten Island, NY, were genuinely touched by their involvement.

Emmidio Ungaro, a Shop Steward at a Pathmark in Starrett City, Brooklyn, who volunteered at Angel Guardian, was particularly moved by his experience. “The fact that we have Union jobs which allow us to provide for our families, gives us an opportunity to offer a little bit of our time and money to help others,” Emmido said. “We love helping out, and it is a blessing that we can afford to give back to those who need it,” this 35 year Union member beamed with pride.

This year continued a Local 342 tradition that is marked by members donating thousands of dollars in turkeys, canned foods, and dry goods, as well as their time, to local charities. “Whatever the community needs, Local 342 and our giving membership is always there to help out,” concluded Kate Meckler, the Union’s Director of Communications.

Picture of UFCW Local 342 members taken at Angel Guardian in Brooklyn, NY: